Cheerleaders who attended the Dallas All-Star National Championship may have been exposed to mumps

The Texas Department of State Health Services encourages anyone showing symptoms to see a health professional.

The Texas Department of State Health Services warned parents last Friday via letter their children may have been exposed to a person with mumps who attended the National Cheerleaders Association All-Star Nation Championship, which occurred Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

The Texas Department of State Health Services warned parents last Friday via letter their children may have been exposed to a person with mumps who attended the National Cheerleaders Association All-Star Nation

The Texas Department of State Health Services warned parents last Friday via letter their children may have been exposed to a person with mumps who attended the National Cheerleaders Association All-Star Nation Championship, which occurred Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

The Texas Department of State Health Services warned parents last Friday via letter their children may have been exposed to a person with mumps who attended the National Cheerleaders Association All-Star Nation

Cheerleaders who attended the Dallas All-Star National Championship may have been exposed to mumps

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Texas health officials are warning cheerleaders who attended a competition in Dallas that they may have been exposed to mumps.

The Texas Department of State Health Services warned parents last Friday via letter their children may have been exposed to a person with mumps who attended the National Cheerleaders Association All-Star Nation Championship, which occurred Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

A representative at the Texas Department of State Health Services told Chron.com Wednesday that people who attended the cheerleading competition are at low risk of contracting mumps. However, those who believe they may have contracted mumps or have general concerns about the virus are encouraged to contact their doctor or a health professional.

Mumps symptoms include swollen or tender salivary glands, fever, tiredness and muscle aches. The contagious viral illness is spread through saliva and "respiratory droplets created when a person sick with mumps coughs and sneezes," according to the department. The virus may also be spread by sharing cups, utensils and other items that come into contact with saliva.

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People who come into contact with the virus usually experience symptoms 14 to 18 days after exposure, but can develop symptoms as late as 25 days later. The Texas Department of State Health Services says people with mumps are infectious three to five days before they have swollen glands. Infected people without symptoms of mumps may still be able to transmit the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says mumps can be prevented with the MMR vaccine. The vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The CDC recommends children get two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting their first dose at 12 to 15 months old. The second dose is recommended between the ages of 4 and 6 years old.

The CDC says the MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. The agency says before the U.S. mumps program that started in 1967, mumps was "a universal disease of childhood." Since the introduction of the vaccine, mumps cases have decreased by 99 percent, the CDC states.

Mumps outbreaks can still happen in populations that are highly vaccinated, especially in close-contact settings like schools and colleges. Vaccinations, according to the CDC, help "limit the size, duration, and spread of mumps outbreaks."

Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com. Read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter.